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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Hierochloe occidentalis

Hierochloe occidentalis Buckley

California Sweetgrass, California Sweet Grass, California Vanilla Grass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Anthoxanthum occidentale, Hierochloe macrophylla

USDA Symbol: HIOC

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A perennial grass, 2-3 ft. tall., California Sweet Grass produces bright-green, rather broad, sweet-scented leaves. It grows in clumps and spreading by rhizomes. The panicle is loose with a few slender, drooping branches bearing few spikelets.

 

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Flowers inconspicuous. Bloom color refers to spikelets. Bloom time refers to fruiting period.

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Native Distribution: Monterey Co., CA to Klickitat Co., WA
Native Habitat: Moist (to fairly dry) woods below 2000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist summer soils.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hierochloe occidentalis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hierochloe occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hierochloe occidentalis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-06-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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